Native American Navajo Hand-Built Wedding Vase with Horned Toads and Cactus

The Wedding Vase is an ancient vessel still used in traditional Pueblo wedding ceremonies. Each spout of the vessel represents one of those to be wed. The looped handle represents the unity achieved with marriage. The space created within the loop represents the circle of life. In the traditional ceremony, the couple drink nectar (prepared by the medicine man) from the spouts to represent the blending of their lives. The pot is a reflection of the ancient rite. This wedding vase was handbuilt, polished with a stone, then fired in an open pit. As a final touch and to waterproof the pottery, the hot pottery is dipped in hot pine pitch. This very traditional and beautiful piece with two horned toads on the body of the vase and one on the bridge as well was created by master potter Betty Manygoats. The horned toad represents grandfather, health, longevity, and strength. The cactus on either side of the vase represents the ability to withstand any weather. Betty Manygoats is renowned for her pottery pieces with horned toads. This piece CANNOT hold liquid.